Improvement in car-couplings



(122') A. H. s. DAVIS.

-lm`povemnt inv Car Couplings.

No. 122,368. Patmedlanfznszz.

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UNITED STATEs ALEXANDERH. S. DAVIS, OF `FARMINGr'ION, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-couPuNes.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,368, dated January 2, 1872.` y

ple, and certain in its operation; the dangerto human life in coupling and uncoupling avoided; and the cars allowed to separate in.

case one of them runs off the track; the construction and operation of the same being here-l inafter fully described.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through iny coupling in position on a car, the section .bein-g taken on the line w of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a face or end view of the coupling. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the couplingbar or link.

In the drawing, A represents an ordinary car; and B, the draw-head or buier,\vl1ich may be connected thereto in any suitable manner. On the front end ofthe draw-head there is mounted a jaw or plate, C, having on Its under side a large square stein or stud, a, which iits down into a corresponding hole, b, in the draw-head, and holds the jaw in position, While at the saine time it permits the jaw to beraised. On the lower end of the stem or stud a there is a smaller stem, c, which extends down through the head and is provided with a spiral spring, d, which serves to hold the jaw C down -upon the draw-head. To the top ofj aw C' there f is attached a chain, f, which passes up through the platform of the car, and has a ring or handle, g, on its upper' end, by means of which ringrthe jaw can be raised by a person standing on the platform. The ring or handle is arranged to fold down into a recess in the platform, so as to leave a smooth even surface and avoid any danger of persons being tripped thereby. In the front end of the draw-head and jaw there is formed a aring mouth or opening, k, extending back to the hole in which the stem a. slides, so as to leave a shoulder, l, on the head, as shown in Fig. 1. Lengthwise in the lower side of the mouthk there is formed a triangular groove, m, as shown in Figs. l and 2, and in the front side of the stem athere is a recess, o, which extendsdown below the shoulder l, as shown in Fig. 1. rIhe coupling bar G, shown in Fig. 3, consists simply of a straight triangular bar having a head or lip, s, at each end, and having the two ends beveled or pointed, as shown.

When the coupling-bar is inserted endwise with its lip downward into the mouth of the draw-head, itA raisesthe jaw C, and the end of the bar passes into the recess in stein a, and then the jaw drops and the lip ofthe couplingbar locks behind the shoulder L and prevents the withdrawal of the bar, as shown in Fig. 1.

The jaw C bearing on the coupling-bar holds Y it down in the groove m, and causesit to extend straight out from the head, so that when another car is brought up the bar will enter its draw-head withperfect certainty., Vhen the cars are to be nncoupled the operator mounts the platform and lifts the handle g, and thereby raises the jaw C, the recess o of which raises the end ofthe couplinglbar off from the shoulder, so that it can be Withdrawn. When desirable, the chain f may be passed over a Vpnlley and out to one side of the car, so that it can be operated by a person standing by the side of the car; or the'chain may be extended to the top of the car, so as to be operated by 'a person thereon. It is obvious that various other arrangements of the chain or of rods, or of rods and levers, would answer for raising the jaw; but, as they constitute no part of my invention, a description of them is unnecessary. In case a car provided with my coupling runs from the track the coupling-bar will be turned up so as to readily escape from the coupling, and thereby prevent the other cars from being dragged from the track by the first one.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The straight triangular link Gr, in combination with the jaw 0 and groove m in the drawhead, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ALEXANDER H. S.v DAVIS.

Witnesses: Y

BENJ. F. ATKINSON, J oTHAM S. GOULD. 

